This book deals with an important region, the southern frontier of Russia, from Tbilisi to Vladivostok, at a vital point in modern history, when new political forces where transforming the states of Turkey/the Ottoman Empire, Iran, Afghanistan and China. The strategic significance of this region remains crucially important today, as, again, new political forces make an impact. Importantly, the book looks at the region from the standpoint of the Russian general staff, who were much concerned with 'the security perspective', with regional wars both actual and potential, the development and likely consequences of new weaponry and new military techniques, and the behaviour of neighbouring states.